The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-01

I fantry. There were probably two thousand
men in line, and the spectators swelled the
crowd to five thousand. AS the leaders OF
the infantry reached the place where sat the
man they had came to honor, they broke ranks
and amid the greatest excitement crowded to
the veranda. 1t was a scene which one
could never forget. Cheering their old chlet-
tain as Georgians alone can cheer, they crowd
ed and jostled, pushing and pulling one
another like madmen, each intent upon getting
rs near Mr.. Davis as he could. This hrst
break was signal for general rush, and then
followed a scene, a description of which would
seem like chapter OF fairy tale carried
away by the enthusiasm
MIR DAVIS ROSE TO HIS FEET,
and grasped some of the thousand hands
which were extended to him.
How the crowd cheered!
''Hurrah for Jeff DAVIS, and Goa DIesS MN,
was heard on all sides.
Strong men fought one another in their en-
deavor to get near enough to touch his hands
or those of his wife or daughters. All four
stood close to the railing, the ladies endeavor-
ing as much as possible to relieve Mr.. Davis
by taking the hands that almost hid from view
the faces of the thousands who crowded
around. Governor Gordon and Senator Col
quit who We're by Mr.. Dayiss side, tried hard
to keep the crowd back and preserve some
order, but order upon this occasion was out of
the question. With five thousand people yell
ing as hard as they knew how, crOwding, push
ing and Juggling at one another, efforts TO keep
order had absolutely no effect
at is the last time we shall ever see old
jeff" said one of the veterans, "and We are
going to see as much of him as we can.
That seemed to be the sentiment underlying
all the rushing and crowding, cheering and
yelling. 1t was the southern heart fired by
the memory of the days that tried mems
souls, and by love of the man who was the
foremost figure of those trying days. There
were
MANY TOUCHING INCIDENTS.
1t kl,NN
tered battle flag carried by the famous Ihird
Georgia through the terrible struggle:
Crowding forward, inch by inch, the proud
bearer of this standard succeeded in getting
close enough to hand it TO Mr.. Davis. AS the
feeble old man grasped the staff, and with the
aid of Senator Colduitt waved it through the
air. cheer upon cheer went up, and there was
hardly dry eye in the vast crowd. Mrs Davis
threw the folds of the flag toward nm, ana
kissed the rags. Tears covered his cheeks ana
the scene was most affecting As the flag
was handed back there was few among those
nearest to put their hands where "Old Jeit'
had grasped the staff. From another flag
Mrs. Davis tore piece, and kissing 1t reYer-
entially placed ii in her bosom, more cheers
and more tears coursing down the cheeks OF
the veterans
Mr.. Davis and Miss Minnie seemed to be the
most popular of the party. Everybody wanted
TO grasp the hand of both. One enthusiast,
who could not get to them, reached over the
heads of his fellows. and placed the head of
his cane in Mr.. Davis hand, He grasped it,
and SO did Miss Minnie. As the owner got il
back, he kissed the head lovingly, and left
happy.
Tho happiest man in the lot was the one
who escorted Ms. Davis from the crush into
the house. While dilating upon his good luck
he snid. "Why it was the biggest compliment
ever paid me l would not have missed it for
a million dollars
MIR Davis stood the crush and the suisse
queut ride very well, indeed, and don't seem
much fatigued
Then it looked as if the crowd, in its mad en-
thuSiasm, would tear Mr. Davis from the
veranGa, which was itself so
crowded that it was almost
impossible for those upon il to move. Realiz-
ing the necessity for action, Senator Colquitt
mounted the railing, and after several at
tempts succeeded in securing comparative
quiet Then he urged the crowd TO be less de-
monstratiye, calling attention TO Mr.. Davis's
feeble condition, and urging that they SHOUT
for him, worship him, but for his own dear
sake do not try 10 shake hands with him"
For IA time Mr.. Davis remained in his chair
content with bowling his Acknowledgements
but il was not long before his enthusiasm got
the better of him, and he roSe TO his feet. 1t
wits evident that
HE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY,
and in q moment there was almost perfect 81